The first in-person engagement for Whiitiki Whakatika to
support Māori resilience for Pandemics was held as part of
the Rātana celebrations.
Whiitiki Whakatika
spokesperson and rangatira, Rahui Papa (Waikato), says that
Rātana is a reminder of the hononga we have and Mana
Motuhake responses to previous pandemics.
“With
Rātana the opportunity for Whiitiki Whakatika was to
consider our hononga and raise important matters as part of
an indigenous-led research programme that provides a pathway
forward based on tikanga and mātauranga Māori for
resilience in the face of adversity like a
pandemic”.
Through Te Niwha, Whiitiki
Whakatika are supporting a collaborative research platform
for infectious disease for prevention, control, management
and pandemic response. The existing national and local
government laws, policies and frameworks do not provide for
mātauranga Māori approaches to infectious disease control
and pandemic response in a manner that promotes and elevates
Mana Māori motuhake/tino rangatiratanga and the benefits to
wider community.
Project lead Huirama
Matatahi stated “our ancestral wisdom carries proven
pathways through crisis. Embedded within our
intergenerational storytelling lies a profound knowledge of
survival and adaptation, handed down through centuries of
overcoming adversity. These traditional narratives don’t
just tell us who we are, they show us how to be
resilient”.
Matatahi shared on examples shared at
Ratana, noting “we draw strength from time-tested
practices to face modern-day challenges with ancient wisdom.
Our stories aren’t just history – they’re living guides
for protection, healing and community care”.
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The
collaboration for Whiitiki Whakatika furthers the premise
that Maori have always been scientists and aligns with the
Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) to establish an
Infectious Diseases Research Platform to:
•
Strengthen and coordinate domestic research capabilities in
the field of infectious diseases;
• Continue
addressing COVID-19 and other significant infectious
diseases in Aotearoa, New Zealand;
• Enhance
preparedness for future pandemics;
• Support
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Health Research Strategy and
address the priorities of key stakeholders and Māori as
Treaty partners; and
• Foster connections with
international research initiatives.
The
focus of the research is to engage with marae, hapū, iwi
and organisations to gather traditional knowledge and
explore mātauranga Māori solutions to infectious disease
challenges and pandemic resilience. Whiitiki Whakatika
intends to gather insights, narratives and experiences of
pandemic response through wananga, commencing at Ratana.
This project will use the collected data to inform the
development of a mātauranga Māori framework for the
prevention, management and control of infectious disease
threats and pandemic response.
In August
2025 Whiitiki Whakatika will report to the National Iwi
Chairs Forum and present the findings from the engagement
process, including recommendations for Iwi Maori as well as
Local and Central Government consideration.
An
opportunity will be provided at Waitangi for further
engagement.
To find out more about Whitiki Whakatika
visit the Whitiiki Whakatika social media
pages.
About Whiitiki
Whakatika
Whiitiki Whakatika is about the
research of Maori, marae-based and community-led responses
to pandemics based on mātauranga-ā-Iwi. Whiitiki
Whakatika intends to gather insights, narratives and
experiences of pandemic response through wānanga,
commencing at Rātana.
Nga Matapono
(values) of Whiitiki
Whakatika
Mana: where
the kaikōrero (contributor to the research study) shall be
always
respected.
Mauri: to
approach the kaikōrero with humility and in turn ensuring
that the mana and rights of participants and whaanau are
always upheld.
Manaakitanga
acknowledges our responsibility to behave with
generosity and respect, and in a manner that is consistent
with enhancing the wairua and mana of past, present and
future.
Manawanui: encourages the
kairangahau to “do the right thing in the right way” in
accordance with the abovementioned
values.
Mahinga tahi:
encourages connection between kairangahau,
kaikōrero, kaitautoko to the wider environment and an
awareness of reciprocal
responsibilities.
Maarire:
acknowledges the unique responsibilities that
kairangahau have to ensure the space of interaction and
engagement is respectful, intentional and conducted with
care.
Māramatanga: –
acknowledges the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of
kairangahau within their whaanau, hapū and iwi and to carry
out their roles in a transparent, honest and ethical
manner.
Objectives of Whiitiki
Whakatika
Further support for community-led
decision-making
Investment in Community-led Data
systems
Evidence-based case studies showing the
value of Māori resilience and
innovation
Value-adaptive capacities in Māori
communities
Strengthened collaborative
governance
Support for local infrastructure and
networks
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